Prayut hints again at return as premier
published : 13 Dec 2018 at 08:41
writer: Gary Boyle
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has hinted once again he may be ready to return as premier after the Feb 24 poll, a day after the ban on political activities was lifted.
During his visit with cabinet ministers to the northeastern province of Bung Kan on Wednesday, Gen Prayut admitted he is now a full-time politician.
"I am here today. If I tell you that I am not a full-time politician, that's not true because I have been running the country.
"Being a politician, I am glad to see a lot of people turn up to welcome and call me 'Loong [Uncle] Tu'. You know I suffer. But I am willing to suffer.... When I go back home, I will sleep and contemplate why the people hope to rely on us. Because they have hope so we have to fulfil their hopes. But we must not cheat," Gen Prayut said.
On Jan 3, Gen Prayut declared for the first time since he seized power in 2014 that he is a politician, though he also reminded people he is "a politician who used to be a soldier".
He previously said he would give a clear answer about whether he would enter the political fray after the political ban had been lifted.
Gen Prayut also hit out at anti-government elements who began to take to the streets to protest against the government after the ban on political activities, including political gatherings of five people and more, was lifted.
"Demonstrations against the government have already started in Bangkok," Gen Prayut said.
Learn from listening
Vocabulary
- cabinet ministers: government ministers who meet as a group (the cabinet) to make and approve government policy - คณะรัฐมนตรี
- cheat (verb): to trick somebody or make them believe something which is not true - โกง
- contemplate: to think carefully about and accept the possibility of something happening; to think about whether you should do something, or how you should do something - พิจารณา, คิด
- fray: a fight, a competition or an argument, especially one that is exciting or seen as a test of your ability - การต่อสู้, การทะเลาะวิวาท,การชกต่อย
- politician: a person whose job is concerned with politics, especially as an elected member of parliament, etc. - นักการเมือง
- protest: to make a strong complaint or disagreement - ประท้วง
- rely on: to depend on or trust - พึ่งพา เชื่อถือ ไว้ใจ
- seize: to take control of a place or situation using military force - เข้ายึดพื้นที่
- suffer: to experience physical or mental pain -
